I began this campaign out of a sense of duty. I saw a meaningful opportunity for change and a different approach to problem-solving. This vision started an incredible journey that led me through every neighborhood in Ward 2 and to thousands of your doors. I met hundreds of you and listened as you shared your concerns and your hopes for our future.

We found common ground in shared priorities: public safety, housing challenges, and responsible spending at a time when affordability is at the forefront of every family's mind. My campaign team and I listened intently, fine-tuning our platform to best serve our neighbourhoods and the people in them.

While we did not achieve the result we had hoped for, I am so proud of the strong showing we made on election day, finishing second on a ballot filled with capable candidates. This would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of a small army of volunteers who joined me along the way. To the donors who helped fund our campaign, a campaign that succeeded without a single party dollar, thank you for believing in me.

I want to thank my wife, Linda, who was by my side almost every night, pounding the pavement, folding brochures, hanging cards on doors, and opening conversations before sending me in to seal the deal. And seal the deal we did, time and again.

To the other candidates in Ward 2, thank you for challenging me and highlighting the diverse perspectives on the issues we face. To Councillor Wyness, I offer my sincere congratulations on your victory. The people of Ward 2 have made their choice, and I respect their decision. I wish you the very best and hope you will continue to listen to all your constituents over the next four years. There is much work to be done, and many voices must be included.

I am not sure what comes next for me, but I would not trade this experience for anything. I learned more about my community than I could possibly have imagined, and I put on more miles than I thought possible. I am profoundly proud of what we built together. I hope every single person who helped along the way knows that we made a difference. While we did not win the election, we made our voices heard, and that is a victory in itself.

The conversations we shared and the connections we made are not forgotten. I feel a profound responsibility to the people of Ward 2, to continue the work we started together. While I will not be serving as your Councillor, I remain committed to ensuring your voices are heard. We built something special throughout this campaign, a movement dedicated to our community, and that energy cannot and will not go to waste. To that end, I will be tracking resident feedback and concerns. Please continue to visit my website, where I will consolidate your input to share constructively with Councillor Wyness and her office.

Yours in gratitude and service,

John R. Garden